CONSEQUENCES OF STIGMA
Goffman divides all the stigmatized persons into four groups: in-group deviants, social deviants, minority members and lower class persons. In all cases, stigma leads to damage to self-concept and self destruction. It may be stressed that people feel able to make guess about the characteristics of almost any defined social group on the basis of limited information at their disposal though the social scientist would consider that information inadequate.
Stigma against HIV may be divided into the following categories:
-
Instrumental stigma — a reflection of the fear and apprehension that are likely to be associated with HIV and AIDS
-
Symbolic stigma — the use of emic concepts to express attitudes toward the social groups or “lifestyles” perceived to be associated with HIV and AIDS
-
Courtesy HIV-related stigma —stigmatization of people connected to the issue of HIV/AIDS or HIV- positive people
Among the above three types of stigmas the instrumental stigma seems to be of paramount importance. There is undoubtedly a stigma against certain life styles such as homosexuals or drug users. In addition, the fear that if they come in contact of HIV positive people they may catch a deadly and transmissible illness creates a great fear in people's mind. Stigma becomes more discriminatory when it occurs with domination, social discrimination and exploitation. Thus if a victim is also a member of socially disadvantaged groups, and is a woman, the HIV status has more negative implications. |
